Felix Jones is used to being part of a multi-faceted running attack. Since playing football at the University of Arkansas, Jones was in an understudy role behind Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden. But since playing second-tier to McFadden, it is Felix Jones who is out to make a name for himself in the NFL.

It may not be easy with the kind of playing time the Dallas Cowboys running backs are having. In addition to sharing carries with Marion Barber and Tashard Choice, Jones has to fight with the Cowboys passing attack which takes away from his playing time. Fortunately for Jones, the Dallas coaching staff has done a good job in balancing both the running game and the passing game to keep defenses off balance.

But Jones isn’t just the kind of running back that is meant to keep defenses off balance. Felix Jones is the kind of big play threat that can score from any position on the field. Jones has been able to spurt off longer runs with much fewer carries than the first-string running back Barber, and they have come at decisive moments as well.

In Week 17 with the NFC East title on the line, Jones broke through the Eagles defensive line for a 49 yard touchdown run. The following week, it was the Dallas vs. Philadelphia rematch in the wild-card round of the playoffs, once again at Texas Stadium. Once again, it was Felix Jones knifing through the Philadelphia defense to the tune of 148 yards including at 73 yard run to pay dirt.

Jones dominance at the climax of the year comes at a time when the Dallas faithful question whether their team can finally make some noise in the playoffs. This kind of performance by Jones towards the peak of the season, and especially in the playoffs has many in Dallas questioning if Jones should indeed take the reigns of the tailback position over from Barber. A report from www.DallasNews.com confirms the sentiment that many in Dallas have grown to realize, that it is time to make a switch.

The emergence of Felix Jones, and the Cowboys ending their 13 year playoff drought are of little coincidence. Jones was the most consistent player on the field at the end of the year, and may be the most pivotal star the Cowboys have seen in a long time. Jones is due to take on a greater role, and in doing so, the Felix Jones Rookie Card will take on even greater value.

As much as people like to credit the air attack with Tony Romo and Terrell Owens for the Cowboys success it is the ground game that makes the Cowboys tick. Consider these statistics, in all but one game that Barber has scored the cowboys have won the game. The cowboys are 6-1 when Barber scores. When Barber rushes for over 70 yards they are also 6-1. The key to the Cowboys attack is controlling the line of scrimage with that massive offensive line. When they control the line of scrimage it opens up big holes for the air attack as they wear down the defense.

With Barber being knicked up the past few games the Cowboys have really struggled going 1-2 in that stretch. When this warrior is hurt it severly hampers the Cowboys chance to win football games. Expect that Marion Barber will play in this game and expect him to play well. If the Cowboys are to win this game they will need that balanced attack against a very aggressive Eagles defense. Here is the good news if you are a cowboys fan, of since his rookie campaign Barber has scored 42 NFL touchdowns and 5 are against the Eagles - the only team he has scored more against is the Lions.